Maneuvers

05.25.11

John Edwards Seeks Plea Deal

Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards is trying to avoid a grand-jury indictment on charges over alleged campaign-finance violations. Justice Department prosecutors and lawyers for Edwards are discussing a last minute plea deal, according to The Wall Street Journal. If the talks fail Wednesday, prosecutors are expected to get a grand-jury indictment against him. Edwards has been under investigation for having his affiliates allegedly funnel more than $1 million in donor money to Rielle Hunter, the woman with whom Edwards had an extramarital affair and fathered a child, as well as to an aide who initially took the fall for Edwards and claimed the child was his. Federal election laws prohibit the personal use of campaign donations and require full disclosure of contributions.